Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith and special guest, data scientist Christina Pagel, discuss the Afghan data breach, the confusion over resettlement schemes, misinformation and its role in the rise of the far right. And in Part II, we delve into Christina's project, charting the (at last count 707) anti-democratic actions of the Trump administration. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin and Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** - “Farage is demanding Parliament is recalled to be addressed by...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Alex Andreou and special guest, investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan, discuss how dark money is "Americanising" our political debate in areas like women's reproductive health - and how Reform UK represents an opportunity for those who wish to subvert our democracy further. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “The US State Department’s substack put out a statement recently saying, effectively, we’re going to meddle into other people’s elections. They were criticising the German gov...
Jul 15, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 77
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou talk through the week's political stories, covering the outcome of Macron's state visit, and the churn on the right of politics, with every splitter starting his own party/movement/grift. Plus, a very special report from our resident Chevalier, Olivier Morel, with behind-the-scenes gossip from Macron's visit. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “He [Macron] went off script and that was the best part of the speech. He got the biggest cheer when ...
Jul 13, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 76
Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith and special guest, investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan, discuss the significance of the French President's visit, the Post Office scandal first report, how big money has infected politics, and Woke Superman. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin and Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Brexit is still the word that nobody in British politics wants to utter. We’re constantly talking about stagnant growth, but nobody in the Labour Party wants to say: shall...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Another new party is created, another Reform MP is un-created, another ceasefire is hoped for, and another depressing poll. Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell talk through the week's political stories, with a focus on the emerging (possibly Corbyn-led) party on the left of British politics, hopes of respite for Gaza from being pounded, and a new pan-European poll that finds the youth of our continent more disengaged from politics than ever. PLUS news of Reform UK losing another MP reached us LIVE a...
Jul 07, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou, with special guest, security expert Arthur Snell, discuss the first anniversary of Labour's election victory being marked by - probably - it most difficult week. Also, what is next for Ukraine, now that much of the West is fully distracted by the Middle East? Plus, who will actually pay for Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill.? And, of course, the latest instalments of 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 73
***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou talk through the week's stories, including the government's climbdown on welfare reform and the launch of its trade and industrial policies. Finally, three weeks ago every other news story was about the "riots" in California. What happened? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/qu...
Jun 29, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou, with special guest, Green Party MP (and co-leadership candidate) Ellie Chowns, discuss the Labour rebellion against welfare cuts and the future of the Green Party as a new home for those looking outside the establishment. And an update on the Iran ceasefire and the NATO Summit/Trump crèche, with security expert Arthur Snell. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** CALL TO ACTION Help MamaSuze here, in ...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 71
And so it came to pass that the US, in lockstep with Israel, bombed Iran, probably while you were sleeping. For this week's Sunday School, we knew it would be tough to keep up with developments in the Middle East and so we called in our tame geopolitics expert Arthur Snell, he of the wonderful Behind The Lines podcast, for a look at where things stood on the eve of Trump's decision to send in the B-2s. Who knew what and when? What’s it mean for Britain? Should we cancel holidays in Cyprus? And ....
Jun 22, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 70
With just over a year to go until the 2026 Senedd elections, Welsh politics is anything but quiet. Reform UK is making noise, Plaid is recalibrating, and Labour is battling to stay visible - all as new EU-UK agreements raise questions about the future of flagship Welsh initiatives like the Taith scheme. Award-winning journalist Will Hayward joins Naomi Smith for a deep dive into the political forces shaping the next chapter of Welsh democracy. From Wrexham terraces to Cardiff Bay, it's all in fl...
Jun 20, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou, with special guest, economist Vicky Pryce take a detailed look at the Spending Review. Does the ambition match the maths? And in Part II, we ask whether, before we have another inquiry, we need to question whether this slow, expensive model achieves change or actually impedes it. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Infrastructure matters hugely. If you want to be competitive and have an economy with...
Jun 19, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou talk through the week's stories, including Israel's escalation towards Iran and where that leaves an already inflamed region. Plus, the Ahmedabad plane crash and the toxicity added to the trauma by social media. Finally, some personal reflections about the riots in Ballymena. CALL TO ACTION Support the charity Migrant Centre NI. http://migrantcentreni.org/ ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** "Netanyahu, Khamenei, Erdogan, Putin, Trump - they ar...
Jun 15, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou, with special guest, Liberal Democrat MP James McCleary, analyse the political landscape, the recent election results, what next for the LibDems, the rise of Reform UK, and react to the Spending Review. And in Part II, we look at the absolute madness in California and ask whether it is retrievable or whether America is heading for full-fat authoritarianism. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “It’s one ...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou, and Kenny Campbell talk through the week's political stories, covering the nuclear fallout from the war of words between the world's most powerful narcissist and the world's richest sociopath. Also, does Zia Yusuf's flounce out - and flounce back in - point to dysfunction inside Reform UK? Plus, we have the closest this podcast has even come to a row, over the result of the Scottish by-election in Hamilton. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Trum...
Jun 08, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Alex Andreou and Zoe Williams, with special guest, former Home Secretary and author of a new Harold Wilson biography, Alan Johnson, discuss the Strategic Defence Review, the upcoming departmental budgets, whether Starmer's government has a choice, but to spend that money and a choice on where to find it. Also, taking over a stagnant economy after more than a decade of Tory cuts, a poor start in government, trying to balance a tight fiscal position with demands on public services, pressure from a...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell talk through the week's political news, with a focus on the end of Musk's chemical romance with the White House, Trump's well-earned "TACO" moniker, and Harvard's resistance. Also, we look back at the RBS bail-out and how it continues to be felt in our politics today. PLUS - Watch out. Robert Jenrick's about. Why has our politics become so small, meand, and petty? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “The big difference between Trump’s first term...
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith discuss the great socialist Farage camouflage mirage, and the reemergence of Dominic "Team Player" Cummings, with special guest Marcus Brigstocke. Also, a deep dive into the UK's reluctance to protect the intellectual property of creatives from Artificial Intelligence. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. You can find the dates to Marcus Brigstocke's "Vitruvian Mango" tour here. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “We have a massive election y...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's political news, with a focus on the apparent briefing and counter-briefing war inside No. 10, the softening of policy on winter fuel payments, and the latest ONS migration data. PLUS guest Arthur Snell explains the significance of the change of stance by the US and Europe towards Israel over Gaza. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Conventional wisdom was that local election results had strengthened the hand of the Blue Labo...
May 25, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith discuss Labour's obsession with voters to the right, while haemorrhaging voters to the left, with guest Labour MP Marsha de Cordova. Also, a deep dive into Labour's reform of support for people with disabilities and the worry and hurt it is causing. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** GRIN AND SHARE IT Read more about the International Museum of Migration. Our bookshop including many of the books we have feat...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith with a quick, end-of-the-day reaction to the UK-EU Summit. Light on detail, high on symbolism, does it have the potential to be a turning point? SPOILERS: Absolutely. Also, why is the media losing its mind over mackerel? The facts on fishing - including quite a lot of stuff you will NOT have heard widely discussed. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/q...
May 20, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's political news, including the presentation of a huge unconstitutional bribe as a moral and intellectual imperative, the state of the super-wealthy in the UK, the blocking of bonuses for Thames Water bosses, and last minute jitters before the EU-UK Corral. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot Email us at quietriotp...
May 18, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith, and Kenny Campbell discuss Starmer's immigration policy, the language employed, the economic and psychological impact. Also a full preview of Monday's UK-EU summit. What to expect and when. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. "I look at Starmer's trajectory and it is immensely difficult not to notice the trail of devastation left behind. Disabled people, Palestinians, trans people, and now immigrants. All I can see is someone who is willing to throw anyone out ...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Alex Andreou talks to trade expert David Henig about the UK-US. Is it a trade deal? Is it a deal? What about hormone beef and chlorinated chicken? What about the tech tax? What about Boeing? What about the EU summit? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. ***SPONSOR US AT ...
May 13, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's political news, This week all the political significance and reaction to the UK-US deal and your potted guide to the new Pontiff and what his election means for the global fight against populism - including a special Wokey Dokey! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** Our bookshop including many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. Or visit our ...
May 11, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith with special guest Zack Polanski, talk about the Greens performance at the local elections, their agenda going forward, and Zack's bid to be their next leader. Also, the trade deal with India - big fish or small fry? Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** CALLS TO ACTION Find out more about Zack's campaign here. GRIN AND SHARE IT An end to animal testing? Read all about it here. Our bookshop including many of the bo...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Alex Andreou talks to journalist, best-selling author - and former Wallaby - Peter FitzSimons about the results, the campaign, the Trump backlash, the extraordinary phenomenon of The Teals, and the inexportability of American culture wars. What lessons can Labour in the UK learn? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ”The key transformation was when Donald Trump got elected. The vast majority of Australians looked at Trump aghast. Day after day after day, we have seen chaos on roller-...
May 06, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith analyse the week's political news, including the results of the local and mayoral elections in England, the by-election in Runcorn, and the general election in Australia. Is Starmer missing on the anti-Trump dividend? ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Labour need to start governing. They need to stop triangulating and start running the country. They are wasting the term they have been given, worrying about a second one. They can do a lot of good, if the...
May 04, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith opolling guru Peter Kellner, dissect opinions polls on Trump's second, first, 100 Days in the White House, the result of the Canadian election, and preview the local and mayoral elections in England. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. “What Mark Carney did was to come close to monopolising the centre/centre-left vote. Which, of course, might have echoes for what Starmer needs to do here. Labour is losing many more votes to the Liberal Democrats, the Greens a...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith talk through the week's news, including the mood music (AARGH) around the upcoming UK/EU summit and Reeves' visit to Washington, the latest IMF economic report, and the Pope's funeral as well as the politics that unfolded around it. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** ALEX ANDREOU'S PODYSSEY can be found here: APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alex-andreous-podyssey/id1798575126 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2x7cD3HjkOyOKTF4YT5Goy?si=e...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith on a special episode, à trois, with Kenny Campbell discuss the skip fire that is the Trump administration right now - including Pete Hegseth's imminent departure to spend more time with a bottle of Grey Goose, Elon Musk's reversing away from the White House, so fast he should make a beeping noise, and RFK Jr's obsession with jizz. We also discuss the anti-far-right conference in Scotland and why Reform UK seem to be doing quite well north of the border. Plus 'Wokey D...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 49
